Services and Programmes

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture is committed to transform and increase the potential employee pool of the Department and the Agricultural Sector through, skills development, mentoring, financing and job creation of our youth, previously disadvantaged, disabled and females with special focus on rural youth and children of Farm Workers.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture offers youth mentorship and job creation by providing mentoring and valuable work experience and exposure for unemployed matriculants, undergraduates and graduates through an Internship Programme.

EXTERNAL BURSARY /SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture offers financial assistance and mentorship to youth studying in the scarce and critical skills and scholarships to disadvantaged high school scholars with the potential to complete with their matric with mathematics and sciences in order to further their studies in agriculture.

YPP: YOUNG PROFESSIONAL PERSONS PROGRAMME

The Young Professional Person’s Programme is a Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s Mentoring Affirmative Action Programme for Previously Disadvantaged Youth (18-35 years)accepted by a recognised Higher Education Institution to complete their Honours,Masters or Doctorate in the scarce and critical skills in Agriculture.

OTHER EXTERNAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES PROJECTS

APFRYD PROJECT: Agricultural Partnership for Rural Youth Development

This Project focuses on increasing the skills development, career opportunities and employability of rural youth and children of our Farm Workers through; financial assistance for further studies in the agricultural field or to complete a matric qualification with mathematics and sciences; internships for unemployed matriculants without workplace experience.

PAY INTERNSHIPS: Premiers Advancement of Youth Project

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture appoints PAY Interns on a 12-month internship programme of valuable work exposure, meaningful agricultural experiences, career awareness and career pathing as well as preparing them for registration for further studies and career opportunities in agriculture.

What does the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s Internship Programme entail?

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture is committed to skills development by providing opportunities for unemployed matriculants, undergraduates and graduates through an Internship Programme.

Student internship may include overseas students on an exchange programme with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.

Graduate Internship
This refers to the individuals who have already obtained a qualification in a SAQA accredited Further Education and Training or Higher Education Institution.

Student Internship
This refers to the students who are studying towards a SAQA accredited qualification, but are requested to undergo practical experience so as to earn credits towards obtaining the qualification.

Duration of an Internship
The duration of an Internship for student and graduate interns is for 12 months.

Placement

Interns are placed within the Western Cape Department of Agriculture which has offices operating in the broader Western Cape. (Identified, interns may be placed with External Host Employers to obtain relevant work exposure).

Interns are placed under the supervision of an experienced mentor.

Interns are subjected to signing an Internship Contract.

Interns are expected to submit quarterly reports on progress.

The mentor and the intern agree on the learning objectives for the intern which becomes the key outputs of their

Performance Agreement.

Interns are expected to enter into a Performance Agreement and

6 monthly performance reviews will be conducted.

Where an intern is placed with an External Host Employer, the internship will fully monitored by the Department, with regular site visits, meetings with the mentor, intern and External Host Employer will be conducted. The intern will be appointed as a Western Cape Department of Agriculture Intern.

Who can apply?

Unemployed youth between ages 18 -35 without previous work experience.

Students requiring workplace and/or occupation-related experience to attain their qualification in Agriculture.

Unemployed young graduates with an Agricultural qualification.

People with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.

How do I apply?

Complete a departmental application form accompanied by:

Letter of application

Certified copy of Identity document

Certified copy of a Matric certificate

Certified copy of a Higher Education Institution qualification/or academic record

When do I apply?
Respond to the advertisement placed by the Department externally which will and advertised on the website (www.elsenburg.com).

How do I submit my application?

Applications will be electronic and online when advertisement is placed.

Only on request of advert will the application be posted to the departmental postal address

Email or fax the application; however original application should be sent via post.

NB: FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS WILL RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING DISQUALIFIED. CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE LIMITED TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES. SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO A PERSONAL SUITABLITY CHECKS.

Checklist
Please indicate with a √ to ensure complete application:

Application Form fully completed (proof of socio-status to be handed in by applicant)

Curriculum Vitae attached

Certified copy of ID document

Certified copy of driver’s licence if available

Certified copy of Matric (Grade 12) certificate

Certified Academic record

Certified Higher Education Qualifications

Letter from the College/University indicating the area of exposure for the Student Internship

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture awards bursaries to students studying full-time at a Higher Educational Institution towards obtaining a SAQA registered qualification in the Agricultural fields, or High School learners studying mathematics and sciences who have been identified as potential candidates for further studies in the Agricultural fields.

The Programme is an affirmative action program to specifically empower previously disadvantages individuals from the following designated groups: Black, Coloured, Indian, females (White females included) and people with disabilities, who have been accepted by a recognised Higher Education Institution for Masters, Honnours or Doctorate, through the gaining of experience and mentorship in obtaining their qualification in the scarce and critical skills.

To produce qualified and trained professionals for the Western Cape Department of Agriculture in the scarce and critical skills;

SCARCE SKILLS

CRITICAL SKILLS

Soil scientists

Soil science Pedologist

Irrigation Engineers/Tech

State veterinarians

Bacteriologist

Biochemist (VET)

Veterinary Virologist

Aquaculturalist

Rangeland Scientist

GIS

Agro-Climatologist

Plant pathologists

Lecturer winemaker

Lecturer wine business management

Agricultural Economists

Resource Economics

Policy/Macro economics analysis/modeling

Statisticians

Qualitative Epidermiologist

Microbiologist(emphasis on gastrolintestinal microbiology)

Pasture Scientist

Biometrician

Crop modeling programmer

Entomologist

Process Engineers/Tech

Renewable Energy Agricultural Engineers/Tech

Agronomist

Weed Scientist

Nematologists

Plant Virologist

Nature of the Programme:

The Pre -Young Professional Persons, candidates are registered Honnours students who will enjoy a full bursary, a monthly stipend and be expected to report for duty whenever not attending class. This programme commences annually in February. Each candidate will be assigned a mentor.

The Young Professional Persons, candidates are registered Masters Students who will be involved in a structured programme, which spans over three years. The programme which commences annually in February consists of a three-pronged learning experience:

Area 1: Structured in-service training programme whereby participants will receive support from their mentors, supervisors, current participants on the programme.

Area 2: Participants will complete an independent research project which is conducted at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and is completed in conjunction with the candidates relevant Educational Institution. The topic of the research project must be relevant to the Department of Agriculture’s requirements.

Based on the high rate of unemployment amongst our youth within the rural areas and the reluctance of youth to follow careers in agriculture, this project was implemented. As the agricultural sector needs to undergo major changes in transforming itself, it is necessary to bring previously disadvantaged skilled individuals into the agricultural labour market.

This project specifically focuses on rural youth and children of farm workers. It offers bursaries/scholarships, internship, learnerships, a bridging course for mathematics and science learners and a summer/winter school at the Elsenburg College.

Internship Programme

The Interns appointed on the project will be placed with External Host Employers who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Agriculture. All APFRYD Interns will undergo a three day orientation programme at Elsenburg. Mentors will receive training annually. Application process is the same as outlined for External Development Initiatives; however this project only offers Grade 12 (matriculants) Internship.

Grade 12 (Matriculants) Internship

This refers to persons who have completed and passed Grade 12, unemployed, needing exposure to opportunities and careers in Agriculture.

Duration of an Internship

The duration of an Internship is 12 months.

Placement

Interns will be place with an External Host Employer

Interns are placed under the supervision of an experienced mentor

Interns are subjected to signing an Internship Contract.

Interns are expected to submit quarterly reports on progress.

The mentor and the intern agree on the learning objectives

Interns are expected to enter into a Performance Agreement(Job Profile)

Additional criteria to be considered for acceptance tothe (APFRYD) project you must be:

Unemployed youth from the rural area of the Western Cape

A child of a farm worker

Must have passed Grade 12

Bursary/Scholarship Programme

The bursary/scholarship programme for APFRYD project is the same as for the External Development Initiatives mentioned above and carries the same requirements for consideration.

Learnership Programme

As part of the APFRYD Project, 10 Learners will be funded annually to attend a Learnership offered by the Elsenburg Agricultural College.

Premier’s Advancement of Youth (PAY Project / Grade 12 (Matriculants)

The Western Cape Government, through the Premier's Advancement of Youth (PAY) project, recognises the need to fight youth unemployment. About 70% of South Africa's youth are currently unemployed.

The PAY project was set up to give Western Cape youth an opportunity to get into the labour market at an early age. The project provides learners who finished matric in the previous year with the opportunity of a one-year internship the next year.

The Department offers PAY interns an opportunity of exposure and experience in agriculture, beginning with;

A two week orientation programme.

A rotation of experience and exposure throughout the Department

A year of career pathing, skills development, mentoring and coaching.

Assisting the PAY interns to improve their matric results through rewriting their subjects, after an intense tutoring programme offered by the Department, before their exams in November.

Outstanding PAY interns who have express a desire to further their studies in agriculture, may be offered a full bursary.

All PAY interns will receive a testimonial at the end of 12months and their CVs will be updated, making them more marketable.

Learners who have passed the National Senior Certificate (NSC) in the previous year in The Western Cape qualify to apply.

Learners who are South African citizens.

Learners who have no network or support to help them make career choices.

Duration of all Internships

The duration of an Internship for matriculants, student and graduate interns is for 12 months.

Placement

Interns are placed within the Western Cape Department of Agriculture which has offices operating in the broader Western Cape. (Identified, interns may be placed with External Host Employers to obtain relevant work exposure).

Interns are placed under the supervision of an experienced mentor.

Interns are subjected to signing an Internship Contract.

Interns are expected to submit quarterly reports on progress.

The mentor and the intern agree on the learning objectives for the intern which becomes the key outputs of their Performance Agreement.

Interns are expected to enter into a Performance Agreement and

Quarterly performance reviews will be conducted.

Where an intern is placed with an External Host Employer, the internship will be fully monitored by the Department. Regular site visits, meetings with the mentor, intern and External Host Employer will be conducted. The intern will be appointed as a Western Cape Department of Agriculture Intern.

How do I apply?

Respond to an advertisement placed on our website and with Community Newspapers.

Complete a departmental application form accompanied by:

Letter of application

Certified copy of Identity document

Certified copy of a Matric certificate

Certified copy of a Higher Education Institution qualification/or academic record

NB: FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS WILL RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING DISQUALIFIED.

CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE LIMITED TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES. SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO A PERSONAL SUITABLITY CHECKS

What does EDI offer

EDI: EXTERNAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture is committed to transform and increase the potential employee pool of the Department and the Agricultural Sector through, skills development, mentoring, financing and job creation of our youth, previously disadvantaged, disabled and female... ...read more

EDI: Agricultural Internship Programme

What does the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s Internship Programme entail?
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture is committed to skills development by providing opportunities for unemployed matriculants, undergraduates and graduates through an Internship Programme.
Student internship may include overseas... ...read more

EDI: External Bursary / Scholarship Scheme

Bursary/Scholarship Programme
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture awards bursaries to students studying full-time at a Higher Educational Institution towards obtaining a SAQA registered qualification in the Agricultural fields, or High School learners studying mathematics and sciences who have been identified as... ...read more

EDI: Young Professional Persons Programme (YPP)

The Young Professional Persons Programme (YPP)
Purpose of the Programme:
The Programme is an affirmative action program to specifically empower previously disadvantages individuals from the following designated groups: Black, Coloured, Indian, females (White females included) and people with disabilities, who have bee... ...read more

Agricultural Partnership for Rural Youth Development Project

Based on the high rate of unemployment amongst our youth within the rural areas and the reluctance of youth to follow careers in agriculture, this project was implemented. As the agricultural sector needs to undergo major changes in transforming itself, it is necessary to bring previously disadvantaged skilled individ... ...read more

Premier’s Advancement of Youth (PAY Project / Grade 12 (Matriculants)

The Western Cape Government, through the Premier's Advancement of Youth (PAY) project, recognises the need to fight youth unemployment. About 70% of South Africa's youth are currently unemployed.
The PAY project was set up to give Western Cape youth an opportunity to get into the labour market at an early age. The pro... ...read more